Feel like I cant breath in enough air?

[Dalton1]

Hello all,

2 years ago I started to feel everyday chest tightness and feeling like my chest cant breath in enough air (after this symptoms start I start to feel like I was going to pass out any second)...

At first I thought it was asthma coming back since I had big problems with it when I was a child... I went to pulmonologist for regular tests (every couple of months) and started to take medicin regulary (fostair 100/6 inhaler)... after about 2y of regular testing (I also had my hearth check,nose check etc..) everything was fine and my doctor said that I do have big allergies but that it shouldnt make me this much of a problem with my breathing... she recommended me to see psychiatrist..

so after seeing psychiatrist he told me that I have anxiety problem (psychosomatic asthma) and that I should take antidepressants.. which I refused... My asthma inhaler does help me when the "attack" starts (gasping for air, chest paing and tightnes...) but psychiatrist said that this is placebo effect..

In everyday life I am kinda more anxious about stuff but overall I am really positive and satisfied with myself (I am 24, I have regular job I finished college and currently studying the second one)... Only thing which I am not satisfied with is my physical condition but I am planing to start working out regulary...

My question is how to get rid off conscious breathing and stop thinking about it... does taking every day asthma inhaler when things get bad cause more damage then taking antidepressants? I did notice improvement for the last couple of months cause I did have a bad period in my life for the past year.. I think that I could deal with it on my own but I am just worried about inhaler making me damage (my doctor said it wont)?

Do you have any advice?

Sorry for this messed up post... I was trying to keep it short as possible... also english is not my native language...

[ginabean]

I’m going through a similar issue. Been feeling like I can’t get a good breath, chest is tight and hurts. I saw a cardiologist who couldn’t find anything glaringly wrong but I’m going for a stress test in January. I’ve been using a heating pad to relax, taking anti-stress vitamins, and trying to distract myself by playing video games or working. I also am in counseling and my next appt is tomm and we’ll be discussing it more in depth. Hope you feel better soon but trust me, I get it

[Dalton1 in reply to ginabean]

I cant belive that my head causes it.. damn.. is there a way to calmdown in public when this starts?

[CDPO16]

Hi, I do wonder if asthma is involved as well as anxiety. If your fostair eases it I think you should consider using it as originally prescribed. I find it very unlikely that it is a placebo. I often get air hunger with my asthma. It may be worthwhile getting an asthma review. Hope you find a solution to your difficulties but practising relaxation techniques will gradually help you to cope when in public. Books by Claire Weekes such as ' Self help for your nerves' are good at explaining how to do that too. Best wishes.

[Dalton1 in reply to CDPO16]

yeah it probably is mix of both... I am using fostair regulary but the days I feel good I do try not to use it... My only concern is that fostair will damage me even more cause of long term usage... not sure about that but I am woring about it... my doctor and some people that I know with asthma said it wont do damage

[CDPO16 in reply to Dalton1]

I have used fostair four times daily for over 5 years without any problems apart from skin bruising. It's intended to reduce inflammation and thereby keep asthma under control. My prescription is for four times daily rather than twice as I have severe COPD too. Using it as you do on an intermittent and irregular basis really won't help much so believe your doctor and other asthmatics